• Home
  • Featured News
  • T20i Specialist Tag Proves Fatal Yuzvendra Chahals Test Aspirations Remain A Distant Dream

T20I Specialist Tag Proves Fatal; Yuzvendra Chahal's Test Aspirations Remain A Distant Dream

Rajgeeta Yadav

Yuzvendra Chahal shines [Source: @sporttify/X.com]Yuzvendra Chahal shines [Source: @sporttify/X.com]

Yuzvendra Chahal is a name that still grabs attention, whether it’s his clever bowling spells in T20Is, his quirky Instagram reels, or his fun off-field presence. But when it comes to Test cricket, the most traditional and respected form of the game, Chahal’s name has rarely entered serious discussions.

Despite being one of India most successful white-ball spinners, Chahal has never made his debut in red-ball cricket for India. That absence has become more glaring over the years, especially now in 2025, when the Indian Test team is transitioning and looking at fresh options.

A White-Ball Star, A Red-Ball Wait 

Since making his international debut in 2016, Chahal has carved out an impressive career in limited-overs cricket. With 121 wickets in 72 ODIs and 96 wickets in 80 T20Is, his impact on the shorter formats is undeniable. But the red-ball dream? Still out of reach.

In fact, Chahal has never even been close to a consistent spot in the Test squad. His name has popped up occasionally, especially during injury crises, but the final call has always gone to others.

One of the most notable near-misses came during England’s tour of India in 2021. With Ravindra Jadeja injured and Ashwin just returning to fitness, Chahal thought he had a real chance.

“I wasn’t expecting a call this time. But when England came to India and some of our spinners were injured, I felt maybe my name could come up,” Chahal told Sports Tak in an interview at the time.

Instead, it was Axar Patel who grabbed the opportunity and made headlines with a match-winning effort in debut series. Players like Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav stayed ahead of Chahal in the pecking order, leaving the leg-spinner waiting on the sidelines once again.

Too Many Names Ahead In The Queue

India’s red-ball spin department has always been stacked. Ashwin and Jadeja have been the first-choice options for years, and when they weren’t available, names like Axar, Kuldeep, and Washington were seen as better fits, either due to better first-class stats or their ability to contribute with the bat.

Even when Ashwin announced his retirement in 2025, many thought this might finally open a door for Chahal. But once again, it was Washington Sundar who got the nod, with the team clearly preferring multi-dimensional players over specialist bowlers.

Despite being out of the India team setup, Chahal has kept performing. Most recently, he shone in the English County Championship, picking up six wickets for Northamptonshire. He now has 119 wickets in 43 First-Class matches, but a bowling average of 35.63 doesn’t do him any favours when compared to other contenders.

At 35 years old, Chahal still harbours hopes of playing Test cricket, as he told the media. But age, current team combinations and the rise of younger all-rounders are all working against him.

A Closed Chapter For Yuzi Chahal?

With India head coach Gautam Gambhir now leading the new era in Indian cricket, the focus seems to be on versatile players who can contribute across departments. That shift has further dimmed Chahal’s hopes of wearing the whites for India.

Chahal’s Test journey may be one of Indian cricket’s biggest “what ifs.” Despite being the greatest spinner in the shorter formats, the whites might remain a jersey he never gets to wear.

And, let this serve as a reminder to everyone: even the most exceptional talent can sometimes be overlooked in a crowded field.